Pauline Quirke, known for her role in Birds of a Feather, has been diagnosed with dementia at the age of 65. After a successful 50-year career in acting, she has decided to step away from all professional and commercial duties to focus on spending time with her family. This decision was shared by her husband, Steve Sheen, who also asked for privacy during this difficult period.
In connection with her diagnosis, Dr. Stephen Cabral, a doctor on TikTok, explained that one of the earliest signs of dementia is becoming disoriented or getting lost in familiar places. While people may forget names or where they left items, getting lost or confused about your whereabouts is more uncommon and can be a clear indicator. Dr. Cabral also mentioned that changes in driving skills, like difficulty parking, could signal the condition.
The article also included personal accounts from people who recognized similar signs in their loved ones, with one person noting that their father had difficulty finding their house despite visiting it many times. Hilary Evans-Newton, Chief Executive of Alzheimer’s Research UK, expressed sympathy for Quirke’s diagnosis and praised the family for publicly sharing the news, which she believes will help raise awareness of dementia. The NHS lists common dementia symptoms, including memory loss, difficulty with familiar tasks, and mood changes.
